FERGUS – It looks like Strathallan Park might remain a park after all.
In a joint press release issued on Nov. 19, the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and Township of Centre Wellington stated the school board is re-examining its space needs and might not need to build a high school in the park.
The board had previously determined Strathallan Park might be a good location for a high school.
Currently, all high schools in the WCDSB are located in Guelph.
With growth in Guelph and other parts of its catchment area, the board determined it needed a high school in Centre Wellington.
It started talks with Centre Wellington and in January, council declared the parkland surplus to facilitate the board’s request.
“Pursuant to the township’s disposition policy, lands must be declared surplus before any agreement to dispose of lands is negotiated,” the press release stated.
This caused a stir in the neighbourhood that regularly uses the park.
Parents were also concerned about a future high school being located directly beside St. Joseph Catholic School, which is an elementary school.
But since January, the long-term accommodation needs of the Catholic school board have changed.
“In partnership with Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. we updated our long-term accommodation plan, which reflects the latest enrolment projections and identifies both immediate and long-term accommodation needs across our district,” board spokesperson Ali Lupal stated in an email to the Advertiser.
“Projected enrolment in Centre Wellington has exceeded our original forecast. As well, the municipal projections for Centre Wellington show significant growth in the medium to long term.”
As such, the board has initiated an accommodation review and is seeking feedback from families in the board. Information about the review and how to participate can be found at wellingtoncdsb.ca.
The township and the board have now mutually agreed to reconsider the sale and acquisition of Strathallan Park.
“The township understands that the [WCDSB] will not be pursuing any rezoning of the property, which would have been a necessary precondition of any sale,” the press release stated.
“As such, (township) staff will be taking a report to council in the near future recommending that the lands be deemed non-surplus.”
The board will continue to explore options for other sites to accommodate education and childcare needs within the township, the release states.
